Chapter 229: Lainella's Fate is Decided by Lainella (22)
Chapter 229: Lainella's Fate is Decided by Lainella (22)
Thinking back, Arthur’s answer was only natural.
There was no way the Dark Cult would leave a trail so easily. Even if they had been discovered by chance, the authorities wouldn't have sent such a small force.
At the very least, it would have required the Imperial Guard Knights or the Holy Kingdom’s Heretic Inquisitors to match the gravity of the situation.
The Dark Cult was a threat that had managed to infiltrate even the inner circle of the Imperial family.
The Holy Kingdom, which was fundamentally opposed to the Dark Cult by its very nature, would want to excise the risk as quickly as possible—as would the Empire and the United Kingdoms.
The fact that they could touch the Imperial family meant that, if they set their minds to it, there was no one they couldn't reach.
Though I didn't know for sure, the royalty and nobility of the United Kingdoms must have been trembling in fear for some time.
Yes, I had expected as much.
However, hearing such a blunt confirmation still made me feel a bit deflated.
Sir Reynold, however, seemed to have a different perspective.
"There’s no other reason to take commoners who are otherwise useless. To put it bluntly, one could set up an orphanage and exploit the children to legally secure a free labor force."
"……Sir Reynold."
Arthur tried to dissuade Reynold with a weary voice. But Reynold merely snorted in response.
The conversation had been going on for quite a while now.
Yet, my questions remained ongoing.
It was because too much information had been dumped on me all at once.
I pressed my fingers against my temples, trying to soothe the throbbing headache. I needed time to organize my thoughts.
Eventually, my questioning turned toward Sir Reynold.
"Wait, didn't you come here to take Senior Elsie back?"
"I came for both reasons. Otherwise, there would be no need for someone like me to personally visit this rural estate."
So, while the Magic Corps of the Lainella family was scheduled to be dispatched anyway, the reason someone as high-ranking as Sir Reynold had come was for that very purpose.
Only Sir Reynold, who was at a higher level of mastery, could suppress Senior Elsie.
Furthermore, Count Lainella, the head of the family, couldn't afford to leave his post for an extended period.
Only then did I fully grasp the situation, letting out a hollow laugh.
As it turned out, this wasn't just about Senior Elsie. Numerous problems were intricately intertwined with the case I was investigating.
I wasn't sure whether to call this good luck or bad.
Seeing my conflicted expression, Arthur clapped his hands together.
The sharp crack served to refresh the heavy atmosphere.
Arthur struck the conference room table with his two slender arms with great gusto—though it didn't make much of a sound.
"……Anyway! His Majesty felt a great sense of alarm after witnessing the demonic beast attack at the Academy. Therefore, orders have been issued to thoroughly investigate any and all suspicious incidents."
No matter how prestigious the Lainella family was, they had no choice but to obey the Emperor's command.
According to the explanation that followed, disappearances within the Lainella territory had become quite rare. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't have felt the need to travel all the way to the Percus territory.
The problem, however, was that the Emperor had taken an interest in this matter.
Strictly speaking, these were just cases of unidentified people disappearing one by one.
The poor living on the outskirts weren't even subject to official management in the first place. There were limits to what power could achieve, after all.
Nevertheless, once the Emperor's order was given, it was impossible to handle the matter half-heartedly.
They had to produce results of some kind.
One of the reasons Arthur’s complexion looked so sallow was likely due to that pressure.
"And fortunately, doesn't the Percus territory possess a proud hero? An assistant specifically designated by His Majesty the Emperor himself……."
"……Are you talking about me?"
I asked just in case, but the answer to such questions was usually consistent.
"Yes. I am referring to Sir Ian Percus."
I reached into my coat and toyed with the Imperial Seal.
Even without showing the Dragon Blood Runes, the moment I revealed this, I could obtain all sorts of conveniences.
The seal of the Imperial Household was proof of their recognition.
Fortunately, it seemed Arthur and Sir Reynold didn't yet know that I possessed the Imperial Seal.
Arthur was treating me with a bit of excessive respect, but that seemed to be purely because I was a talented individual who had caught the Emperor's eye.
It was quite a moving thought.
To think that the second son of a rural viscount, a lower noble of the Empire, would receive such undeserved treatment.
However, Sir Reynold snorted again at Arthur’s words. His transparent eyes turned toward me.
"……Let’s see if you’re a man worthy of being Elsie’s partner."
Many more discussions followed, but there was only one conclusion.
In the end, it meant I had to get back to work as soon as I returned.
It was an ending I had anticipated, but I couldn't help but accept the documents Arthur handed over with a gloomy face.
Various pieces of information were organized within.
In particular, a map marking the areas within the Percus territory where disappearances occurred frequently caught my eye. I glanced at Sir Reynold and muttered.
"A map describing the geography of a territory is a strategic asset……."
"Are you saying you don't trust me?"
At that chilling voice, I had to shut my mouth tight.
If he weren't Senior Elsie’s uncle, I might have talked back at least once.
But one way or another, Senior Elsie and I were now bound by fate.
There was absolutely no need to create conflict with her family.
Still, unable to entirely suppress my dissatisfaction, a long sigh escaped my lips.
"……When should I begin the investigation? It makes my stomach churn to think that people are still disappearing even now."
"First, recover from the fatigue of your journey. You may start tomorrow."
At Arthur’s words, I clicked my tongue and tucked the map into my shirt.
I didn't know when Senior Neris would arrive. Until then, I had no choice but to rely on the information Arthur provided.
"Then I should at least talk to my companions tonight."
It was several times better than heading out to investigate alone.
In the first place, though I lacked evidence, I was certain the Dark Cult was involved in this case. The letter from the future implied as much.
And if the Dark Cult was behind it, it would certainly be no ordinary incident.
Specifically, it was something the Dark Cult had been subtly preparing for years.
They wouldn't let anyone interfere.
Suddenly, the image of a woman laughing maniacally came to mind.
Dark Priest Mitram.
His specialty was biological modification. Strangely, I had a premonition that my connection with him hadn't ended yet.
He had said he wouldn't make me wait long.
If he was the mastermind behind this, it was hard to even imagine what kind of agony the missing people were enduring.
It was then, as I left the conference room with a dark expression.
Sir Reynold spoke to me, his voice still low and heavy.
"……The Lainella family has not yet accepted you."
I never asked to be accepted in the first place.
It was just that Senior Elsie had unilaterally declared me her 'Master.'
That rebuttal lingered on the tip of my tongue, but I held it back. If I rebelled now, the one who would suffer for it wasn't me, but Senior Elsie.
"Lainella's fate is decided by Lainella. Therefore, Elsie’s fate has not yet been decided… Whether you can become a son-in-law of the Lainella family depends on this task."
With those final words, Sir Reynold turned his back on me and walked away.
I started to let out a hollow laugh, but then I simply shook my head.
I could understand Sir Reynold’s feelings.
His niece had suddenly started calling some random man 'Master.' In his eyes, I must look like the lowest of the low, and he was likely worried I was just toying with her.
So, I called out to Sir Reynold’s broad back.
"……About Senior Elsie."
Sir Reynold’s footsteps came to a halt.
His unreadable blue eyes turned back toward me.
"She is someone precious to me. Regardless of any misunderstandings you might have."
"Hmph," Sir Reynold snorted and began walking again.
However, the words he threw back were the most positive thing he had said to me so far.
"I shall be watching."
A bitter smile played on my lips as I heard that.
For the time being, nothing should happen that would disappoint Sir Reynold.
If there was any risk, it would be Senior Delphine or Senior Neris doing something unexpected. But it was highly unlikely those two would act out.
Senior Delphine had her social standing to consider, and Senior Neris was someone who could reveal her identity if necessary.
I let out a sigh and looked out the window at the Percus territory.
In my hometown, in this countryside.
I would likely have to leave another trail of blood.
That night, upon hearing news that a beautiful female knight had come looking for me, I stepped out into the yard.
Standing there was a beauty with striking blue hair. The woman, silhouetted against the moonlight, looked hesitant the moment she saw me.
Then, she suddenly bowed her head deeply and spoke.
"I-I have arrived as requested! Master!"
It was a statement that instantly dropped the temperature around me by several degrees.